COMMUNICATIONS

Systems in
Buildings
Arch 502

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 General
Types of Communication & Signal
Systems
1. Surveillance and Signal Equipment
Fire, smoke and intruder detection and
alarm systems
2. Audio and Visual Communication
Equipment
Telephone, intercom, public TV and
closed circuit television (CCTV)
3. Time Equipment
clock and program equipment
*In general, all signal systems require a
surveillance system to process information
including transmitting it and a means of
indicating the signal, either audibly,
visually or permanently on “hard copy”.
Parts of the Communication & Signal
Systems
1. Detectors
2. Control Unit or Panel
3. Alarm Devices
4. Wiring or Circuitry
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Fire Alarm System
Types of Fire Alarm Systems
1. Automatic System
uses detectors to trigger the alarm system.
2. Manual System
uses visual detection and the alarm is
triggered by hand.
a) Non-Coded Manual Stations
the station locations are not identifiable
at the control panel when it is manually
triggered. An annunciation panel,
however, can be added to the system, to
convert each station as a non-coded
indicating zone. Beyond 10 stations,
coding should be considered.
b) Coded Manual Stations
Each manual station is coded and this
code is received at the control panel,
processed and transmitted audibly on the
system gongs. The code usually
comprises of 3 to 4 digits; the first
number may identify the building
number, the second the building floor
and the third the individual station.

Detectors
1. Temperature Detector
the most common is the Temperature
Detector called the “thermostat”
a) Fixed Temperature Unit
triggers a set of contacts when a
particular temperature is reached. This
Detectors are rated by temperature and
coverage. For example in ordinary rooms,
detectors are rated at 135 deg F per 200
sqft. For kitchens, attics and basements
where ambient temperature is higher,
units are rated at 190 deg to 200 deg F.
2. Photoelectric Detector

Fire Alarm System

unit is available in a one-time non-
renewable design that uses a low melting
alloy fusible plug.
These detectors react to the obscuration
of a light beam by smoke. They are best
applied where fires produce considerable
quantities of smoke and gas, such as
those caused by slow burning plastics.

b) Rate-of-Rise Unit
activates when the rate of ambient
temperature differential exceeds a
predetermined amount. This unit may be
combined with the fixed temperature
unit in a single housing such as in the
case of an automatic resetting unit.
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 3. Ionization Detector
These detectors operate by detecting
ionized particles in the air. They do not
detect fires producing heavy smoke but
few particles such as alcohol and plastic
fires.
Photoelectric and Ionization Detectors are
classed respectively as early warning
Fire Alarm System
smoke and fire detection devices.
4. Flame Detectors
These detectors are of two types; the
Infrared (IR) and Ultraviolet (UV)
Detectors. Applications are generally
industrial and are highly sensitive.
Control Unit or Panel
The function of the control panel is to
energize the audible devices (bells,
buzzers, gongs) upon receipt of a signal
from the detector. Other functions include
shut-off of oil and gas lines, shut off of
attic fans to prevent fire spread, and
turning off of lights. Most units are
serviced with an emergency standby
battery.
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The typical control functions in the Fire
Alarm Panel are:
1. Non-Coded Systems
These are continuous ringing evacuation
type alarm devices, manual or automatic,
which can be zoned and identifiable by
means of an annunciator.
2. Master Coded Systems
This system is also called the common
coded or fixed coded system and
generates 4 rounds of code. When the
code is set to ring the bells at 108
strokes per minute, the alarm is known a
“march time” because of the rhythmic
cadence. This alarm best applies in the
rapid evacuation of a building and is
frequently used in schools.
3. Zone Coded Systems
Manual stations are grouped by circuit
into zones which transmits to the panel
and ring the zone’s code on the single
stroke gong or chimes, thus immediately
identifying the station.
4. Dual Coded Systems
This system is a combination of the non-
coded and the zone coded systems.
 When an alarm device operates, it
initiates two different functions – an
identifying coded alarm located in the
maintenance office and a continuous
ringing evacuation alarm for the whole
building.
Alarm Devices
Usually audible such as, bells, buzzers,
gongs and horns. Most common is the
a-c vibrating bell and a weatherproof
external bell to alert neighbors and
passersby

5. Selective Coded Systems

This is a fully coded system in which all

Fire Alarm System

manual devices are coded and all
automatic devices are arranged to trip
code transmitters at the panel.

6. Pre-signal System
When it is desired to alert only key
personnel, a system called pre- signaling
is used, where it is also selectively coded.
The personnel can immediately Circuit Design
investigate and turn on the general alarm A system which is usually de- energized
manually. and functions only when activated is
called an open circuit system. An open
Non-Coded – manual, continuous. circuit system which integrates a trouble
Master Coded – fixed coded OR common light to indicate a malfunction is called a
coded; “march time” “supervised system”.
Zone Coded – grouped by circuit into
zones, identified in annunciator.
Dual Coded – combination of the non-
coded and the zone coded.
Selective Coded – fully automatic
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Pre-signal – alerts particular personnel.
 Intrusion (Burglar) Alarm
System
Intrusion detection is similar to the fire
detection system, except that instead of
thermal detection, devices such as
Other Alarm Systems
metallic tape and micro- and magnetic-
switches are used to detect door and
window motion and glass breakage. An
eye or a laser light beam may also be
used to detect movement once blocked.
Sprinkler Alarm
Water flow switches are installed to
monitor the flow of water in a sprinkler
head and when triggered will trip a
coded transmitter, setting off a sprinkler
code to show up on a sprinkler
annunciator board (called a sprinkler
alarm panel).
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Industrial Building
Security System
1. Door and Exit Controls
These cover electrified security door
hardware that triggers an alarm when a
door is opened without authorization,
such as, in exterior doors and doors to
restricted areas.
2. Personnel Entry Control – by use of
a card reader
a) The first level is by simple insertion
of a card by the holder to an electric
device which grants entry when a
card is inserted into it for
identification.
b) The second level requires the
encoding of a three-digit number
simultaneously with the insertion of
a card. This bars the entry of
unauthorized card holders.
c) The third level involves an attendant
who compares card data through a
computer screen with the person’s
appearance providing a further
check.
 3. Watchmen’s Tour Equipment Sound Amplifying Systems
this type of station allows a guard to call
or Public Address Systems

Other Alarm Systems; Signal Systems

in through an intercom and permits a
general alarm to ring through operation
of a key.
Consists of the following:
1. Microphone
to pick up the sound and convert it to an
alternative electric current.

2. Amplifiers
amplifies and controls the current.

3. Loudspeaker
converts amplified electric current back
into sound much louder than the original
sound entering the microphone.

Television Antenna System

The system functions by amplifying the
signal received by the TV antenna and by
means of a special cable, distribute these
amplified signals into the various wall
outlets. A system with two or more
outlets generally needs a booster
amplifier.

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 Television Antenna
Mounting Brackets

Coaxial Connector

Signal Systems

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 Audio Systems Components
Microphone Outlets

Signal Systems Audio Jack

RCA Male

RCA Female
Speaker Outlet

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 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Telephone and
Intercommunications
Systems
1. The intercom system comprises
one or more master stations
(administrative) and several remote
stations (staff), one of which monitors
the front door. The master station allows
selective calling while remote stations
operating through the masters are non-
selective.
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2. The Private Automatic Branch
Exchange or PABX is based on solid-state
technology, thus the entire system can
handle up to 500 lines and trunks, 4
operator consoles, and over 140
simultaneous conversations plus full
intercom facilities, all occupying a cabinet
0.60 M x 0.70M x 1.8 M. The operational
features of this system include:
• direct internal and external dialing
• consultation hold ( ability to hold an
outside call while making an inside call)
• conference call capability for internal and
external units
• call transfer and camp-on feature •
automatic call back
• call forwarding
• distinctive ringing for different functions
• paging, executive priority, dictation access,
personnel location and other options
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Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
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Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
4. Vertical Riser Conduits or Riser 5. Splicing Cabinets or Splicing
Shafts Closets permit the riser cables in the
riser shaft or conduit to be spliced or
a) Riser Conduits interconnected to the cables or telephone
are used in medium sized installations wires to the various floors.
and consist of a series of metal cabinets
called splicing cabinets aligned vertically 6. Floor Conduits connects the
through the building, one on each floor splicing closets or cabinets into the
and connected by a vertical conduit. distribution terminal cabinets and to
floor ducts, wall outlets, etc.
b) Riser Shafts
are required for very large installations
and consist of a series of individual full
length interconnecting closets called
splicing closets which are aligned
vertically one on each floor and each
fitted with a fire proof access door. Slots
on the floor, forms a clear and broken
opening from top to bottom of the
building.

Risers whether conduits or shafts,

require central locations in relation to
floor area served. Buildings with large
floor areas or with floors so planned so
as to result in two or more distinct areas
will probably need a separate riser for
each area.
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Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Types of Telephone System
1. Single-Line Phones. These are
basic telephones, just like the ones in an
average home, that can be bought at an
appliance store and have no additional
extensions, no transfer capabilities, and
are analog units that hook up directly
into a jack in the wall. These are best in
home offices or businesses that do not
need multiple lines. Additional features
can be added through your local phone
company, such as call waiting and three-
way calling. If you prefer not to utilize
your phone company's voice mail service,
an answering machine can be purchased
to handle missed phone calls.
2. Small Business Multiple-Line
Phones. A small business that has
moderate-to-large phone traffic will need
a phone system that can handle all calls
efficiently. A multiple- line phone with
two or more extensions (depending on
how many people are in the office), along
with a digital line hookup, can manage a
small office effectively. A voice mail
system with 2-10 ports can be used to
keep the office from missing phone calls.
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3. Large Business Multiple-Line
Calls. A business that has over 50
employees with a large number of phone
calls needs a large phone system, one
that can hold up to hundreds of outside
lines, with an even larger number of
extensions. Through this phone system,
one or more T1 lines (see below) are
necessary to effectively handle the load,
and the voice mail system will need a
large number of ports.
Types of Phone Lines
Analog. An analog line has four grooves
on the center of the connector, in which
the middle two conductors, known as the
"tip" and the "ring", connect a phone
line, while the outer two would be for a
second line.
All modems require an analog line.
Phone lines that are in an industrial
building will connect to a PBX, a
telephone switch within the building, and
analog lines always work on a PBX. If
you are using phones that do not have
multiple lines or digital displays, then an
analog line will work for your system.
 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Digital. A digital line has 6-8 grooves on RJ 11 – for analog telephones
its connector, and is used for phones with
multiple lines and phones with digital
status indicators.

RJ 45 – for
internet and
digital
equipment

T1. This is a powerful phone line that

acts as a tube to funnel information at a
fast rate. A T1 line consists of 24
channels, each channel handling 64,000
bits per second. Each channel can be
configured to your specifications, whether
it is for voice mail or data traffic. In
business, T1's are popular as a leased T1 and fiber optic technology
line, which means that they are a
permanent telephone connection set up
between two points (for example, if your
business has offices in different buildings
in a business complex, a T1 connection
would be necessary for direct access). T1
leased lines are always an active line
between the two places.

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 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Phone System Hardware
PBX Server. The PBX server is a
private telephone switchboard that serves
a designated group of users (like a
building). The server provides on-
premises dial service and can provide
local and trunked communication
network connections.
The Control Unit. A control unit is the
nerve center of a phone system within
your office, where all of the individual
lines connect and all calls get routed.
While a residential phone line may be
hooked up to an analog service, a small
business server is usually handled
digitally, with larger businesses requiring
a T1 line. Depending on the size of your
company and the telephone usage of your
business, this will decide whether analog
or digital would be best.
Individual Units. For each person who
will have an extension in your office, an
individual phone will be needed. An
individual unit can have multiple lines,
but depending on the number of
employees your company has, each unit
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may not have all of the lines available to
them. Everybody in the company does
not need to have a phone unit that has
all incoming lines available, as this could
reach up to several hundred lines in a
large company.
IP Telephony. An obsolete technology
in phone systems, where your server
would run through your computer
network. One of the options of this is a
PBX server on a disk. One of the early
problems with this system is that other
systems on your network (e.g., a printer)
may clog up your system, causing phone
calls to be missed because they can not
get through the system. This is a
problem that should be fixed within the
next couple of years.
Phone System Features
Call Waiting Or Multiple
Lines. Depending on the system that
you use, your phone may either have call
waiting or multiple lines. If individual
units only have one line, then call
waiting is necessary to keep lines clear.
Multiple lines avoid this problem, as long
 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
as calls on each line can be put on hold.
Conference Calling. Conference calling
gives a person the ability to add a third
party to a phone call. This gives the user
the ability to hold long- distance
meetings without the need to have two of
the parties in the same place. When two
people are on the phone and a third is
on hold, the third can be entered into the
conversation through this service. The
service can also allow the first party to
disconnect and let the second and third
parties continue talking.
Call Attendant. A call attendant
handles all phone calls directly before
transferring the calls to extensions.
Through this, a list of all employees'
extensions can be given (allowing callers
to transfer to the right extension), calls
can be put on hold if all lines are busy, or
could send calls to voice mail if the
extension transferred to does not answer.
A call attendant is set up to even play
background music while callers are on
hold.
Hands Free Calling. Hands free, or
speaker phones, give a person the
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opportunity to talk on the phone without
holding the receiver, not only giving the
user the option of moving around the
office while talking, but also allows for
several people to hear a phone call at
once.
Phone System Features
Speed Dialing. This feature allows the
user to keep multiple phone numbers
saved, allowing one-button dialing. Speed
dialing is best for domestic long distance
and international numbers, where
additional codes must be dialed, but it
also is great for numbers that are dialed
constantly.
Redial. Like speed dial, redial saves
time by allowing you to simply press one
button to make a call to the last number
dialed.
Caller ID. Know who is calling before
you pick up the phone. Caller ID will tell
you who is calling by showing what
phone number or extension the call is
coming from, on a digital display usually
within the phone unit itself.
 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
Phone System Features
Call Transfer. This feature allows calls
to be sent directly to specific extensions.
This way, only one phone number is
needed for the company, and if there is
no single person at the company to
answer phones, anyone can answer the
line and transfer the call to the
appropriate person. It also is helpful
when one person needs to speak to
several people within your company. On a
control unit, a "night" switch can be used
to directly send calls to voice mail when
there is no one in the office.
Remote Door Entry. This allows the
phone user to allow access to the front
door from the phone with the push of a
button. This is best for companies that do
not want open access to their business,
or one where valuables need to be
protected.
Surge Protection. Like a computer, an
electrical surge can damage a phone
system, causing memory and important
codes to be lost. Surge protection
prevents this from happening.
Battery Backup. This allows the phone
system to operate for a short period of
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time if power leaves the building. Usually a
backup will keep phone use for anywhere
between 30 minutes to an hour.
Accessories
Headsets. An option to hands-free calling
is headset equipment, which allows the user
to keep the conversation private without
having to hold the receiver. Headsets are a
health advantage as well, as they have also
been known to decrease neck pain for users
who bend awkwardly to rest the phone
receiver on their shoulder.
Intercom System. An intercom system
can page employees away from their own
phone. This is popular for in service-
oriented businesses, where employees might
not be sitting in an office in reach of a
telephone.
Message Keyboard. This is a tool used
to send messages from one employee to
another when the receiving party is on
another call or in a meeting. Through a
code system and a regular keyboard, users
can send text messages instantly and
receive replies without interrupting their
call.
 Telephone and Intercommunications Systems
If it is important to have knowledge of
outside phone numbers, make that an
extra that must be on the system.
Number Blocks. Number blocks keep
employees from taking advantage of the
phone. A number block will block out
calls to specific area codes (such as 900
toll calls), and can keep phone calls
limited to interoffice if necessary.
Voice Mail. Along with a company voice
mail on the control unit, each individual
unit has its own personal voice mail.
These voice mailboxes can be coded to
keep other employees from hearing
messages, and both the control unit and
the individual units can transfer
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messages directly into a mailbox.
Individual voice mailboxes gives
employees the ability to check their
individual messages from outside of the
office, and also allows the employee to
leave a personalized message for
incoming calls. Another option to voice
mail is a call log, which keeps a numeric
log of calls you missed and allows the
user to return the missed call with the
press of a button.
Voice Mail. Along with a company
voice mail on the control unit, each
individual unit has its own personal
voice mail. These voice mailboxes can be
coded to keep other employees from
hearing messages, and both the control
unit and the individual units can transfer
messages directly into a mailbox.
Individual voice mailboxes gives
employees the ability to check their
individual messages from outside of the
office, and also allows the employee to
leave a personalized message for
incoming calls. Another option to voice
mail is a call log, which keeps a numeric
log of calls you missed and allows the
user to return the missed call with the
press of a button.
 Internet, is the worldwide network
connecting all computer systems.
Ethernet, also known as a LAN, local
area network, is not worldwide, but
rather made of two or more devices that
are connected within the same vicinity.
Wi-fi is a family of wireless network
protocols which are commonly used for
local area networking of devices and
Internet access.
Server – is actually just a big, powerful
Information Technology
computer, but doesn’t have the screen or
keyboard. A server stores all the data
associated with the websites that it hosts
and shares that info with all that need to
access them. Your personal computer is
designed to communicate with humans,
but servers are designed to communicate
with other computers.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) – is the
company within a country that provides
access to the internet. In the Philippines,
Smart and Globe are the big and popular
ones.
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Sizing the Server Room
Start with the number of racks you're
going to need. A standard rack is usually
0.60m wide, and in the ballpark of 1m
deep. You'll put multiple racks side by
side in the middle of the room, so add
them all together.
For example, let's say we need three
racks, (what you've got now, plus some
room to grow) so the "core" of our
server room is then 1.8m x 1.2m.
You need to be able to fully extend any
sliding rails in the rack, as well as move
equipment in and out of the racks, so
you'll need an additional 4' at the front
of the racks. Our dimensions are now
1.8m x 2.4m.
In order to comfortably access cabling on
the back of the rack, you'll want at least
0.80m of clearance. You also need this
for good airflow. Add this to both
dimensions, since you need a path
around the side of the racks too. Our
dimensions are now 2.60m x 3.20m.
This is our bare minimum server room.
 If you want more accessibility, you could
widen the walk aisles on the side and back.
Most recommend against it, but if you can't
get it anywhere else, you could put storage
in the server room too. Add another 0.60m
of depth on the opposite of the front of the
racks for this, bringing the dimensions to
3.20m square.
Other things you should be pushing for
are:
- Plenty of redundant NEMA 5-20 or 5-30
sockets from multiple circuits (have the
- Lots of plywood backboard on one wall
for wall-mounted equipment, and
rerouting of any overhead plumbing.
In most cases, you're not going to be able
to avoid fire sprinklers in your server
room, but at the point that they go off,
your stuff was already (literally!) toast.
Any supply or wastewater lines overhead
are a liability, though.
NEMA Outlets

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electrician note which is which on the
faceplate),
- A dedicated mini-split style AC unit that
is sized for your maximum load and with
controls that are separate from the building ESD tile
AC,
- Some kind of ladder rack or wire bracket
cable management overhead (storage space
for this),
- Polished concrete (good) or ESD tile
(better) floors,
- A locking, windowless, and ideally 42" (1
meter) wide door (more secure, and nice for
maneuvering carts of equipment in and out)
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